Chapter 472 - 472: Eavesdropping

The blue crystal gave off a dim glow.

The magic tool Fels had created could not only show what was happening on the other side, but could also be used for communication. However, she had cut off the communication function in advance, turning it into a one sided tool for spying on Loki Familia.

After regrouping with Riveria and the others, Bell used his own character as a guarantee and got Ryuu accepted into Loki Familia's expedition.

The negotiation regarding Juggernaut ended quickly. When the main force regrouped, Bell noticed the blue crystal hanging from Ais's belt.

For an instant, a burning sensation flashed across Bell's back. It felt similar to when he had heard about Cassandra's prophetic dreams.

Was [Luck] reacting?

Bell looked at the blue crystal and quickly made a decision. He stepped forward and said, "Ais-san, I'd like to talk with you alone somewhere no one else is around. Is that okay?"

"Mm…"

Ais blinked, then agreed without the slightest hesitation.

"…"

Unfortunately, that scene happened to be witnessed by three elf women.

Lefiya pressed her lips together, her heart filled with mixed feelings. She desperately wanted to sneak after them and eavesdrop on their conversation, but reason ultimately won over curiosity.

After all, they were in the Dungeon. Even that rabbit in permanent heat would not do anything strange to Ais-san… right?

Ryuu also narrowed her blue eyes and stared blankly at the boy's back.

Just a moment ago, she had been holding Bell's hand and feeling that warmth. But the instant Sword Princess arrived, the boy softly apologized and let go of Ryuu's hand.

A sense of defeat welled up in Ryuu's heart. When she realized it was jealousy born from romance, she could not help furrowing her delicate brows.

Riveria wore a similar expression.

She had finally resolved the incident caused by the remnants of Evilus and was preparing to enjoy some time alone with the boy, only for Gale to suddenly appear. Since Bell was her guarantor, he naturally had to act together with her.

Riveria watched the boy and Ais leave together, her expression rather complicated.

Under the gazes of the three elf women, Bell and Ais left the chamber on the 27th Floor and headed toward an empty corner.

"Have we been exposed?"

Fels looked at the image in the crystal and could not help voicing her doubt.

She was a mage known as [Sage], a figure who lived on in legend.

Fels was certain that even [Perseus], praised by adventurers as the [Perseus], would not be able to see through the true purpose of this blue crystal.

The pride of [Sage] seemed to cry out from her long withered heart. If the boy really could see through the magic tool, then she…

Fels stared blankly at the image, waiting for an answer.

"Ais-san, what's that crystal at your waist?"

Bell asked directly.

"…?!"

Hearing the voice come through the crystal, Fels could not help trembling.

Impossible.

Intuition?

Or did he have some special skill?

Why was Bell Cranel able to notice something strange about the crystal?

She did not know.

She could not understand.

She wanted so badly to find out why.

"Fels, you are too close."

Ouranos calmly reminded her.

Without realizing it, Fels had already removed her hood, revealing the skeletal face beneath.

She had brought her skull right up to the crystal, blocking Ouranos's view.

Although peeking into someone else's privacy was not a good thing, the Great God's curiosity had also been stirred by Fels.

Was the true nature of this boy, who had caused countless waves in Orario, truly as Fels feared, lacking any resolve of his own?

Was this sword thrust toward the End truly alive, or was it merely a one sided wish of the defeated, forced to bear everything?

Gods were always drawn to the [Unknown], and Ouranos was no exception.

"Sorry. I got carried away."

Fels shyly took a few steps back.

Under the gaze of bone and god, the conversation between the boy and Ais continued.

"Bell, Lulune gave this to me before we left… She said it was from the black-robed person…"

Ais answered the question about the crystal's origin without any guard.

"The black-robed person? That feels a little suspicious…"

Bell looked thoughtfully at the blue crystal.

What was the intent behind giving something like this right before the expedition?

"Mm… Then should I throw it away?"

Ais quickly took off the blue crystal.

Although she did not understand exactly what was going on, if Bell said it was suspicious, then it must be true.

The little Ais inside the girl's heart had already started shouting for her to listen to the boy and deal with this suspicious thing.

"No. Can you give it to me?"

Bell asked softly.

He had learned some information from the mercenaries and judged that the black-robed person belonged to the Guild. Although the other party was hiding secrets, they definitely would not harm Loki Familia.

"If it's Bell, then it's fine…"

Ais handed over the crystal without hesitation.

As the two spoke, the image shown by the crystal in the underground sanctuary changed as well.

The boy's figure vanished, replaced by the flushed cheeks of a blond girl.

"Bell Cranel… how exactly did he notice?"

A murmur slipped from Fels's mouth.

The disguise she had placed on the magic tool should have been perfect.

She really wanted to find a chance to ask him face to face…

"Fels."

Ouranos reminded her again.

"Sorry. I lost my composure."

Fels put her hood back on and changed the subject in a serious tone. "Ouranos, if it's Bell Cranel, could we entrust the [Xenos] to him?"

"If his resolve reaches that level…"

Ouranos slowly closed his eyes.

Before he had finished speaking, the boy's question came through the crystal.

Bell held the blue crystal and examined it for a while. He still seemed worried about something, so he asked, "Ais-san, on the way here, you didn't take a bath or anything, did you?"

"No…"

Ais froze for a moment, but still answered the boy honestly.

"Did you take off your clothes?"

"No."

"Did you take off any other girls' clothes?"

"No…"

With each question, the blush on the blond girl's cheeks deepened.

The two of them talked about extremely private matters while walking back.

"Ais-san, you didn't say anything to the crystal, like that you like Bell Cranel, right?"

"…? I do like Bell… but I didn't…"

A bashful blush hung over Ais's expressionless face.

Fels turned away awkwardly.

She coughed softly, then said slowly,

"Sorry, Ouranos. It seems we don't need to worry about that boy's resolve…"

The boy's original intentions might be purer than they had imagined.

Entrusting the [Xenos] to him might be something to worry about on a completely different level.